Reorientable pulley system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing a reorientable pulley system. A tube, a first pulley and a second pulley are provided so that the second pulley may be selectively reoriented in relation to the first pulley while still maintaining an alignment between the hollow passageway of the tube and the channels of the first and second pulleys. An exercise device employing the pulley system is disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. The Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to systems and methods forproviding a reorientable pulley system. More specifically, the inventionrelates to a reorientable pulley system having an articulating arm thatis particularly useful as an exercise device for exercising the armsand/or legs of a user.

[0003] 2. Background and Related Art

[0004] Pulleys have traditionally been used to lift objects. A pulleyincludes a rotable disk that is allowed to spin on its axis and isconfigured to receive a cord (e.g., a rope or cable) around a portion ofthe peripheral disk rim. A first end of the cord is fastened to anobject that is to be lifted. The opposing end of the cord is threadedaround a portion of the rim of the pulley, which is typically coupled toa support above the object, and pulled to cause the cord to move aboutthe disk rim. As the cord moves, the disk spins about its axis. Once thecord tightens, additional pulling on the cord causes the object to belifted in the direction of the pulley.

[0005] A pulley facilitates lifting by changing the direction in which aforce is required to be exerted in order to lift an object. Often theability to pull in a downward direction rather than having to exertforce in an upward direction has proven to be more convenient in liftingheavy objects. Pulleys therefore provide a mechanical advantage.Multiple pulleys may be used in a system to facilitate lifting byreducing the force that is required to lift an object.

[0006] While pulleys have been used to facilitate lifting by changingthe direction of the required force and by reducing the amount of forcerequired, a force is still required to be exerted in a given directionto lift an object. At times it is advantageous to modify the givendirection of the force exerted. For example, in an exercise devicehaving a reorientable arm, it is often desirable to initially orient thearm in one position for a first exercise (e.g., above the shoulder forarm pull downs) then reorient the arm in a second position for a secondexercise (e.g., below the shoulders for arm curls).

[0007] However, a number of challenges are encountered in traditionalpulley systems. For example, a change in force direction (e.g. rotationof an exercise arm) often lengthens or shortens the cable path oftypical systems. For example, as a typical extension arm having a pulleysystem is rotated, a cord used in the pulley system is often loosened ortightened, depending on the positioning of the extension arm. As aresult of the loosening or lengthening, the position of a handle mountedon the cord can change with respect to the end of the arm. In oneposition, the handle abuts the end of the arm, while in another positionthe handle droops in an unsightly, inconvenient manner away from the endof the arm.

[0008] Thus, it would be an advancement in the art to be able to modifythe direction of the force exerted in a pulley system, e.g., for use inexercise equipment and in other disciplines, without affecting thelength or tension of the cord path or without providing an otherwiseawkward pulley system.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improvedpulley system.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a pulley systemthat can be conveniently reoriented.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a pulley systemthat allows a user to modify the direction of force without affectingthe length of the cable within the pulley system.

[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide an improvedexercise machine.

[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide an exercisemachine having an improved pulley system.

[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide an exercisemachine having a pulley system wherein cord tension does not varysubstantially as an extension arm of the exercise machine is rotated.

[0015] The present invention relates to systems and methods forproviding a reorientable pulley system. Implementation of thisembodiment may take place in association with a system that includes twopulleys configured to receive a cord and are able to rotate on theircorresponding axes. The system further includes a pivoting tube that isemployed to house a portion of the cord that extends between the twopulleys, referred to as the intermediate portion of the cord.

[0016] For example, one embodiment relates to a pulley system having atube with a first aperture corresponding to a first, fixed pulley and asecond aperture corresponding to a second, rotatable pulley. As the tubeis rotated with respect to a support, the rotatable pulley is reorientedfrom a first position (in relation to the first pulley) to a secondposition without significantly affecting the intermediate portion of thecord.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the tube includes a first aperture at afirst end and a second aperture in a sidewall at an opposing second end.In one embodiment, the tube rotates within a portion of a supportlocated between the first and second apertures of the tube. A firstpulley is oriented in relation to the first aperture such that a channelof the rim of the first pulley is configured to receive the cord and isaligned with the hollow passageway of the tube.

[0018] A second pulley corresponds to the second aperture such that aportion of the second pulley is positioned within the second aperture tothereby align the channel of the second pulley with the hollowpassageway of the tube. Thus, the channels of the first and secondpulleys are aligned. In accordance with the present invention, thesecond pulley may be selectively reoriented in relation to the firstpulley while still maintaining the alignment between the hollowpassageway of the tube and the channels of the first and second pulleys.

[0019] In one embodiment, such as in an exercise machine, the secondpulley is coupled to an articulating arm that is coupled to the pivotingtube. The coupling of the pulley to the arm maintains the alignmentbetween the channel of the second pulley and the hollow passageway ofthe tube when the tube rotates. A cord threaded through the system maybe affixed to a load (e.g., a stack of weights) at the first end andpulled at the second end (e.g., by the hand of an exerciser) to enablethe lifting of the load. The direction in which the second end of thecord is pulled may be selectively modified by articulating the arm froma first to a second position. However, even after being reoriented to asecond position, the second pulley maintains its alignment with thehollow passageway of the tube and the channel of the first pulley.

[0020] The intermediate portion of the cord, which extends between thefirst pulley and the second pulley, is essentially unaffected by thereorientation of the articulating arm since the reorientation simplyrotates the second pulley and the tube about the intermediate portion ofthe cord. Furthermore, a reorientation of the arm does not substantiallyvary the effective cord tension of the pulley system. Finally, thepresent invention allows for the protection of the cord, provides aconvenient single pivot action, and conveniently couples an extensionarm directly to the rotating tube.

[0021] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. Thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. These and other features of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following description andappended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention asset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited andother advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the invention briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system that provides a suitableoperating environment for the present invention,

[0024]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a pulley system used ata pivotal connection of the exemplary system of FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 2a demonstrates one method for rotatably securing therotating tube within a cylindrical member.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the pivotal connection ofFIG. 2 that further illustrates the orientation between a first pulley,a second pulley, and a tube of a reorientable pulley system. Theperforated orientation disk 36 of FIG. 2 and a portion of its associatedbracket 26 are not shown.

[0027]FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of the reorientable pulley systemof FIG. 3 and demonstrates how an intermediate portion of a cord isessentially unaffected as the tube and corresponding pulley arereoriented from a first position to a second position.

[0028]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate pulleysystem used at a pivotal connection of the exemplary system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present invention relates to systems and methods forproviding a reorientable pulley system. More particularly, one aspect ofthe present invention relates to a pulley system having (i) a rotatingtube; and (ii) a plurality of pulleys associated therewith. A firstaperture of the tube corresponds to a first pulley and a second aperturecorresponds to a second, rotatable pulley. As the tube is rotated, arotatable pulley is reoriented from a first position, in relation to thefirst pulley, to a second position without significantly affecting theintermediate portion of a cord extending across the pulleys.

[0030] While the present invention is particularly useful in the area ofexercise equipment to couple to a resistance assembly, such as bylifting weight stacks, the systems and methods of the present inventionmay be used in a variety of different environments and with a variety ofdifferent system configurations for lifting a load without significantlyaffecting the intermediate portion of a cord. Thus, while the followingdiscussion generally relates to an exercise device that includes areorientable pulley system, the systems and methods of the presentinvention can be used in a variety of different environments and/orconfigurations to allow for the direction of the force exerted on a cordto be conveniently modified in a multi-pulley system.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system is illustrated thatprovides a suitable operating environment for the present invention. InFIG. 1, an exercise device, illustrated as exercise device 10, isprovided that includes a vertical support 12, a base 14, articulatingextension arms 16 a-b, and handles 18 a-b. Base 14 is coupled tovertical support 12 and provides stability to exercise device 10.Handles 18 a-b extend from the distal ends of respective arms 16 a-b toallow a user to pull therefrom in order to lift a selectable weightstack (not shown) having a plurality of selectable weights located invertical support 12. By way of example, the weight stack may beconfigured as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,323, entitled “CableCrossover Exercise Apparatus,” to Simonson, which is incorporated hereinby reference, or in a similar manner.

[0032] Thus, a user may select an amount of weight to lift from theweight stack, stand on base 14, and pull handle 18 a and/or handle 18 bto lift the selected weight amount as part of a weight training workout.In one embodiment, distal members 19 a and 19 b rotate with respect torespective arms 16 a and 16 b.

[0033] Exercise device 10 is designed to provide a diversity of weighttraining workouts that focus on various muscle groups, includingupper-body muscle groups. Arms 16 a-b are pivotally coupled to verticalsupport 12. Pivotal connection assemblies 20 a-b secure arms 16 a and 16b in a desired position with relation to vertical support 12 byinserting a pin 22 a and/or 22 b into a corresponding aperture orlocation of the available locations 24 a and 24 b. Thus, a user mayindependently modify the position of an arm, such as arm 16 b, byextricating pin 22 b from a current location, pivoting arm 16 b to thedesired angle with respect to vertical support 12, and inserting pin 22b in the corresponding and desired aperture location 24 b. The abilityof the exercise device 10 to have one or more arms 16 a-b selectivelypositioned with relation to vertical support 12 enables workoutdiversity.

[0034] The pivoting of arms 16 a-b modifies the direction in which thehandles are pulled in order to lift the weight stack. For example, whenarm 16 b is positioned and secured so as to extend in an upwarddirection from pivotal connection assembly 20 b, a user pulls verticallydownward on handle 18 b in order to lift the weight stack.Alternatively, when arm 16 b is positioned and secured so as to extendin a downward direction from connection assembly 20 b, a user pullsvertically upward on handle 18 b in order to lift the weight stack.Likewise, when arm 16 b is positioned and secured so as to extend outfrom pivotal connection assembly 20 b, so as to form a right angle withvertical support 12, a user may pull horizontally on handle 18 b inorder to lift the weight stack. The positioning of arm 16 b to modifythe direction in which the handles are pulled automatically reorients apulley in an internal pulley system.

[0035] Arms 16 a-b and their respective connection assemblies 20 a-b andpulley systems are each examples of exercise stations that may beemployed in the present invention. However, other exercise stations maybe employed that include the pulley system disclosed herein.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 2, pivotal connection assembly 20 b isillustrated in an exploded and perspective diagram. Pivotal connectionassembly 20 a may be configured in a similar manner, for example. FIG. 2also discloses an example of an internal pulley system that may beemployed in the present invention. As provided above, pivotal connectionassembly 20 b allows arm 16 b of the exercise device to pivot and thusbe conveniently, selectively positioned in relation to a verticalsupport.

[0037] Pivotal connection assembly 20 b comprises a tube 44 rotatablycoupled at one end 46 thereof to fixed support 30. Tube 44 is affixed atan opposing end 49 thereof to arm 16. In FIG. 2, brackets 26 and 28 aremounted onto a fixed support 30, which is part of the vertical support12 of FIG. 1. Bracket 26 includes a cylindrical portion 27 thatcorresponds to and extends through an aperture (not shown) withinsupport 30. Bracket 28 receives first pulley 32 and allows pulley 32 tospin thereon about the pulley's axis. Bracket 28 is an example of meansfor aligning the channel of pulley 32 with the passageway of a tube 44,as will be further discussed below.

[0038] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, first end 46 of tube 44 is pivotallycoupled to cylindrical portion 27. According to one embodiment, firstend 46 extends through perforated disk 36, first bushing 34 a,cylindrical portion 27, second bushing 34 b and securing ring 45 andpivots within first and second bushings 34 a and 34 b. The respectiveouter lips of bushings 34 a, 34 b abut the opposing edges of cylindricalportion 27 while the remainder of the bushings 34 a-b fit withincylindrical portion 27 (see FIG. 2A).

[0039] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 2A, first end 46 of tube 44 isprevented from sliding out of bushing 34 b through the use of a securingring 45 coupled to the tip of first end 46 once first end 46 is slidthrough first and second bushings 34 b. Securing ring 45 attaches to thetip of first end 46 and abuts bushing 34 b, thereby preventing tube fromsliding past bushing 34 b and out of cylindrical portion 27. In oneembodiment, the tip of first end 46 contains a groove 45 a configured toreceive securing ring 45. With or without the groove, securing ring 45can also be coupled to first end 46 through welding or adhesion, forexample.

[0040] Consequently, arm 16 b coupled to tube 44 is rotatably secured tosupport 30. However a variety of different methods may be employed forrotatably securing tube 44 to cylindrical portion 27. For example, inone embodiment, rather than employing a securing ring 45, tube 44 iscoupled to the bushings 34 a-b, e.g., through welding or adhesion,thereby retaining tube 44 in cylindrical portion. In this embodiment,the combined tube/bushing assembly rotates within cylindrical portion27.

[0041] Perforated orientation disk 36 is mounted onto bracket 26 aboutthe cylindrical portion by connectors, such as bolts, screws, pins,etc., illustrated as connectors 38. In the illustrated embodiment,spacers 40 are mounted on connectors 38 between bracket 26 and disk 36.

[0042] Arm 16 b includes a weighted end 42 to balance the weight of arm16 b and thus facilitate the selective positioning of arm 16 b. Asprovided above, a pin 22 b extends through weighted end 42 and isselectively inserted into one of the aperture locations 24 b toselectively position and secure arm 16 b.

[0043] Second end 49 of tube 44 is coupled to arm 16 b, such as throughwelding. Tube 44 is a hollow tube that may be made from a variety ofmaterials such as plastic, metal, or another rigid material, andincludes a first aperture located at the first end 46 and a secondaperture 48 located in a side wall at opposing second end 49. Asindicated above, in the embodiment shown, the first end 46 of tube 44 isinserted through disk 36, through bushing 34 a, cylindrical portion 27,and through bushing 34 b.

[0044] A second pulley 50 is partially inserted into aperture 48 of tube44. Pulley 50 is mounted onto arm 16 b at aperture 52 (e.g., via a pinor bolt), and allowed to rotate on arm 16 b. The insertion of a portionof the rim of pulley 50 into aperture 48 aligns the rim channel ofpulley 50 with the hollow passageway of tube 44. Thus, arm 16 b is anexample of a means for aligning the channel of pulley 50 with thepassageway of tube 44. Similarly, the mounting of pulley 32 onto bracket28 aligns the rim channel of pulley 32 with the hollow passageway oftube 44.

[0045] A cord 53 having a first end 54 and a second end 55 is used inthe pulley system to allow a user to exert a force against a resistanceassembly, e.g., by lifting a weight stack of the exercise device. Firstend 54 of cord 53 can be coupled to the resistance assembly, e.g., aweight stack. The cord 53 is received by the channel rim of pulley 32,which is aligned with the hollow passageway of tube 44. The cord 53 alsoenters the aperture of tube 44 located at the first end 46, extendsalong the hollow passageway of tube 44 and is received by the channelrim of pulley 46, where it exits aperture 48, extends along arm 16 b andis coupled to handle 18 b of FIG. 1. Thus, the first end 54 of the cord53 couples to the weight stack, the second end 55 of the cord 53 couplesto a handle to be gripped by a user, while an intermediate portion ofthe cord 53 extends between the pulleys 32 and 50.

[0046] The cord 53 represents any elongate member that may be used in apulley system to lift a load, including a rope, cable, chain, etc., andmay include such materials as nylon, leather, rubber, metal, plastic, oranother material capable of withstanding the required tensionexperienced in a given pulley system.

[0047] With reference to FIG. 3, a perspective view is illustrated ofthe assembled internal pulley system of FIG. 2. As provided above, thepulley system includes pulleys 32 and 50, which are configured toreceive cord 53 having first and second ends 54, 55, respectively, andare able to spin on their corresponding axes. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the two pulleys are capable of being oriented so as to be transverse inrelation to each other. Tube 44 houses a portion 61 (FIGS. 2, 4) of thecord 53 that extends between the two pulleys, referred to as theintermediate portion 61 of cord 53.

[0048] As mentioned, in the illustrated embodiment, tube 44 includes afirst aperture at a first end 46 and a second aperture 48 in thesidewall at opposing second end 49. First pulley 32 is coupled tobracket 28 that is affixed to support 30 and is oriented in relation tothe first aperture such that channel 31 located in the rim 33 of firstpulley 32 is configured to receive the cord 53, and is aligned with theinternal hollow passageway of tube 44.

[0049] Second pulley 50 is oriented in relation to the second aperture48 such that a portion of pulley 50 is positioned within second aperture48 to thereby align the channel 51 of second pulley 50, which receivesthe cord 53, with the hollow passageway of tube 44.

[0050] The cord 53 can be threaded through the pulley system by placingthe cord 53 in the channel 31 of the first pulley 32, extending the cord53 through the first aperture of tube 44 and along the hollow passagewayof tube 44, and placing cord 53 on the channel 51 of second pulley 50,thereby extending the cord 53 out of second aperture 48. The cord 53 maybe affixed to a resistance assembly at the first end (not shown) andpulled at the second end, which is coupled to handle 18 b (FIG. 1), toenable the lifting of the load.

[0051] As provided above, the direction in which the second end of thecord is pulled may be selectively modified by rotating arm 16 b. Thisrotates tube 44 and correspondingly reorients pulley 50. However, duringand after such reorientation, pulley 50 maintains its alignment with thehollow passageway of tube 44. Consequently, intermediate portion 61 ofcord 53 is essentially unaffected by the reorientation of the tubeand/or pulley and the tension in cord 53 is not significantly affected.

[0052] With reference to FIG. 4, an end view of the reorientable pulleysystem of FIG. 3 is illustrated to more fully demonstrate how thealignment between the channels of the pulleys and the hollow passagewayof the tube is maintained and how the intermediate portion 61 of thecord 53 is essentially unaffected by the reorientation of the tubeand/or pulley.

[0053]FIG. 4 illustrates the pulley system from an end view through end49 of tube 44, and includes pulley 32 in a vertical position with thechannel 31 thereof aligned with the hollow passageway 45 of tube 44.Thus, a cord 53 that is received by the channel of pulley 32 may extendinto tube 44.

[0054] Pulley 50 is illustrated in a first position 60 in relation topulley 32. The first position is a horizontal position that creates aright angle between pulleys 32 and 50. As illustrated, a portion ofpulley 50 is inserted into aperture 48 to allow the channel 51 of pulley50 to be aligned with the hollow passageway 45 of tube 44. Thus, theintermediate portion 61 of cord extends along the hollow passageway 45of tube 44 and is received by the channel 51 of pulley 50 in order forcord 53 to extend out of aperture 48 and down arm 16 b to handle 18 b(See FIG. 1).

[0055] As provided above, a user may selectively position arm 16 b inorder to participate in a particular workout. As arm 16 b rotates, tube44 and pulley 50 move with arm 16 b since tube and pulley 50 are coupledthereto. Therefore, as a user rotates arm 16 b, the relationship betweenthe hollow passageway 45 of tube 44 and the channel of pulley 50 ismaintained. This is illustrated in FIG. 4 as arm 16 b is rotated from afirst transverse position 60 to a second transverse position 62. In thesecond transverse position 62, the inside angle between pulley 50 andpulley 32 is increased, yet the channel 51 of pulley 50 and the hollowpassageway 45 of tube 44 remain aligned.

[0056] Therefore, as arm 16 b is selectively repositioned, tube 44 andpulley 50 rotate about the intermediate portion 61 of cord 53. As such,the intermediate portion 61 of cord 53 is essentially unaffected as theangle between pulley 32 and pulley 50 is modified. Hence, the length ofcord 53 is not substantially affected during reorientation of arm 16 b.Thus, the handles 18 a-b remain in a constant position with respect torespective arms 16 a-b despite the reorientation of arms 16 a-b.

[0057] The placement of a pulley (e.g., second pulley 50) partiallywithin a tube such as tube 44, and the extension of the cord 53 out ofsecond aperture 48, provides for the protection of cord 53, can assistto assure that the cord 53 does not slip off the pulley, and enablesconvenient coupling of the extension arm 16 b directly to tube 44 suchthat arm 16 b pivots in an uncomplicated manner along a single pivotaxis.

[0058] However, embodiments of the present invention embrace a varietyof system configurations that allow for and maintain an alignmentbetween a channel of a first pulley, a channel of a second pulley, andthe hollow passageway of a tube located therebetween.

[0059] For example, as shown in an exploded view in FIG. 5, in oneembodiment a first pulley 32 is coupled to a first bracket 28 that isaffixed to a support 30. A second pulley 50 is rotatably coupled to anarm 16 b that is in turn coupled to a tube 44 a, which includes a firstaperture at a first end 46 a and a second aperture 48 a at the opposingsecond end 49 a. The tube 44 a extends between the two pulleys and, uponassembly, the hollow passageway of the tube 44 a is aligned with thechannels of the two pulleys 32, 50. A cord 53 may therefore be receivedby the channel of the first pulley 32, enter the first aperture of thetube 44 a, extend along the hollow passageway of the tube 44 a, extendout of the second aperture 48 a, and be received by the channel of thesecond pulley 50. By way of example, the tube 44 a may be able to rotatewithin a sleeve 27 that is coupled, directly or indirectly, to thesupport 30. As the tube 44 a rotates, the second pulley 50 also rotatesabout the intermediate portion 53 of the cord and the alignment betweenthe second pulley 50 and the hollow passageway of the tube 44 a ismaintained since the second pulley 50 and the tube 44 a are coupled bythe arm 16 b.

[0060]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate pulleysystem used at a pivotal connection of the exemplary system of FIG. 1.In the embodiment of FIG. 5, end 49 a of tube 44 a is coupled to arm 16b at connection point 70, such as through welding, the aperture 48 a atend 49 a is not in a sidewall, and pulley 50 is not positioned withintube 44 a, but instead remains outside during use, as shown. In oneembodiment, the remaining features of FIG. 5 are the same as or similarto those discussed above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0061] Upon assembly in the embodiment of FIG. 5, there is an alignmentbetween the hollow passageway of the tube 44 a and the respectivechannels of the first and second pulleys 32, 50. Furthermore, secondpulley 50 may be selectively reoriented in relation to the first pulley32 while still maintaining an alignment between the hollow passageway ofthe tube 44 a and the respective channels of the first and secondpulleys 32, 50.

[0062] Arm 16 b is an example of a means for aligning the channel ofpulley 50 with the passageway of tube 44 a. Just as a mechanism such astaught in FIG. 2 may be employed in conjunction with arm 16 a and/or 16b, a mechanism such as taught in FIG. 5 may be employed in conjunctionwith arm 16 a and/or 16 b, for example, or other arms.

[0063] Thus, the systems and methods of the present invention may relateto a reorientable pulley system having a tube, a first pulley and asecond pulley, wherein the second pulley may be selectively reorientedin relation to the first pulley while still maintaining an alignmentbetween the hollow passageway of the tube and the channels of the firstand second pulleys. The reorientation of the second pulley essentiallydoes not affect the intermediate portion of the cord, which extends fromthe first pulley to the second pulley, since the reorientation simplyrotates the second pulley and the tube about the intermediate portion ofthe cord. Furthermore, the effective cord tension does not varysignificantly as the second pulley is reoriented. In addition, thesystems and methods of the present invention allow for a modification ofthe direction of the force exerted in a pulley system without causingthe cord to bind in the system and without having to individually adjustthe pulleys.

[0064] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:
 1. A pulley system comprising: a rotating tube having firstand second apertures and a passageway extending within the tube, whereinthe tube is configured to receive a cord therethrough; a pulley having achannel configured to receive the cord; and means for aligning thechannel of the pulley with the passageway of the tube, wherein the meansfor aligning is coupled to the tube and to the pulley, such that as thetube rotates the pulley moves therewith, and wherein a portion of thechannel of the pulley is positioned within the tube.
 2. A pulley systemas recited in claim 1, further comprising a cord extending along thetube and through the first and second apertures, and wherein the secondaperture is located in a sidewall of the tube.
 3. A pulley system asrecited in claim 1, further comprising: a second pulley having a secondchannel; and means for aligning the second channel with the tube.
 4. Apulley system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for aligning thechannel of the pulley with the passageway of the tube comprises an armcoupled to the tube, the pulley being rotatably mounted on the arm.
 5. Apulley system comprising: a rotating tube having first and secondapertures and a passageway extending within the tube, wherein the tubeis configured to receive a cord therethrough; a pulley having a channelconfigured to receive the cord; and an arm configured to align thechannel of the pulley with the passageway of the tube, wherein the armis coupled to the tube and to the pulley such that as the tube rotatesthe pulley moves therewith, and wherein a portion of the channel of thepulley is positioned within the tube.
 6. A mechanism as recited in claim5, wherein the arm is an articulating arm of an exercise device.
 7. Apulley system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a cord extendingalong the tube and through the first and second apertures, and whereinthe second aperture is located in a sidewall of the tube.
 8. A pulleysystem, comprising: a rotatable tube having first and second apertures,wherein the second aperture is located in a sidewall of the tube; a cordextending through the first and second apertures; a fixed pulley havinga first channel corresponding to the first aperture such that the firstchannel receives the cord and a portion of the cord is located within apassageway of the tube; and a selectively orientable pulley having asecond channel configured such that the second channel receives thecord.
 9. A pulley system as recited in claim 8, wherein the secondpulley is selectively orientable with relation to the fixed pulley. 10.A pulley system as recited in claim 8, wherein a portion of theselectively orientable pulley is inserted into the second aperture toalign the second channel with the passageway of the tube.
 11. A pulleymechanism comprising: a first pulley; a second pulley; a tube havingfirst and second apertures, wherein the second aperture is located in asidewall of the tube; an arm coupled to the tube at one end, the otherend of the tube being pivotably coupled to a support, the first pulleyalso being coupled to the support, such that a cord extends along thefirst pulley, through the first aperture of the tube, out the secondaperture of the tube and along the second pulley.
 12. A mechanism asrecited in claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the second pulley islocated within the second aperture to align a channel of the secondpulley with a passageway of the tube.
 13. An exercise device,comprising: a support; and at least one exercise station coupled to thesupport, wherein the exercise station includes a pulley mechanism, thepulley mechansim comprising: a tube having a first aperture, a secondaperture located in a sidewall, and a passageway extending therebetween,the tube being movably coupled to the support; and a pulley having afirst channel corresponding to the first aperture such that the firstchannel receives a cord and a portion of the cord is located within apassageway of the tube; and a second pulley having a second channelcorresponding to the second aperture such that the second channelreceives the cord and such that the cord is essentially unaffected asthe second pulley is reoriented from a first position to a secondposition.
 14. An exercise device as recited in claim 13, wherein theexercise station includes a plurality of selectable positions.
 15. Anexercise device as recited in claim 13, wherein the mechanism includesan arm that is pivotally coupled to the support.
 16. An exercise deviceas recited in claim 13, wherein a first end of the cord is coupled to aload and the second end of the cord is coupled to a handle.
 17. Anexercise device as recited in claim 13, wherein when the tube rotates,the tension of the cord is substantially unaffected.
 18. An exercisedevice, comprising: a resistance assembly; a vertical support; anexercise station movably coupled to the vertical support, the exercisestation comprising: a tube rotatably coupled to the vertical support,the tube having a first aperture, a second aperture and a passagewayextending therebetween, the second aperture extending through a sidewallof the tube; a first pulley rotatably coupled to the vertical support,the first pulley having a channel corresponding to the first aperture ofthe tube; an arm rotatably coupled to the tube; a second pulleyrotatably coupled to the arm, the second pulley having a channelcorresponding to the second aperture of the tube, wherein a portion of achannel of the second pulley is positioned within the second aperture;and a cord extending through the first and second apertures, a first endof the cord being coupled to the resistance assembly, a second end ofthe cord being coupled to a handle configured to be grasped by a user,and an intermediate portion of the cord extending between the first andsecond pulleys, wherein the extension arm is selectively positionedbetween a first and second position.
 19. A pulley system as recited inclaim 18, wherein as the tube rotates, the length of the cord does notvary substantially.
 20. A pulley system as recited in claim 18, whereinthe resistance assembly comprises a weight stack comprising a pluralityof selectable weights.
 21. A pulley system comprising: a rotating tubehaving first and second apertures and a passageway extending within thetube, wherein the tube is configured to receive a cord therethrough; apulley having a channel configured to receive the cord; and means foraligning the channel of the pulley with the passageway of the tube,wherein the means for aligning is coupled to the tube and to the pulley,such that as the tube rotates the pulley moves therewith, and whereinthe means for aligning the channel of the pulley with the passageway ofthe tube comprises an arm coupled to the tube, the pulley beingrotatably mounted on the arm.
 22. A pulley mechanism comprising: a firstpulley; a second pulley; a tube having first and second apertures and apassageway extending through the tube; an arm coupled to the tube at oneend, the other end of the tube being pivotably coupled to a support, thefirst pulley also being coupled to the support, such that a cord extendsalong the first pulley, through the first aperture of the tube, out thesecond aperture of the tube and along the second pulley.
 23. An exercisedevice, comprising: a support; and at least one exercise station coupledto the support, wherein the exercise station includes a pulleymechanism, the pulley mechansim comprising: a tube having a firstaperture, a second aperture and a passageway extending therebetween, thetube being movably coupled to the support; and a pulley having a firstchannel corresponding to the first aperture such that the first channelreceives a cord and a portion of the cord is located within a passagewayof the tube; and a second pulley having a second channel correspondingto the second aperture such that the second channel receives the cordand such that the cord is essentially unaffected as the second pulley isreoriented from a first position to a second position.